National Big Wind Day 2022

The most wind I've ever seen was November of 1976 in Chicago at the BEQ in Great Lakes, Illinois.

I had arisen, gotten dressed, then walked out of the barracks whereby the wind struck me in the face and I could not walk forward. The problem remained through several futile attempts. It was that fierce and that cold.

It was my understanding that the 70 below wind chill factor was usual and customary for that area in November.

Lately our weather here in South Carolina has been quite windy. March didn't yield nearly as much wind as April has thus far. So much for March coming in like a lion and going out as a lamb.

There were several tornados in the immediate area over the past couple weeks and I feel fortunate to have missed that particular bullet. I cannot imagine the terror of seeing a funnel cloud bearing down on you ... much less the 770 ft wide monstrosity Pickens county saw about a week ago.

Today is National Big Wind Day. It goes down each April 12 and commemorates the record of the highest wind gust measured on the surface of the planet.

It was measured April 12, 1934 and had winds blowing at 231 miles per hour recorded at the Mount Washington Observatory. Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet and is known for dramatic weather conditions.

Now I'm not one to fear the blustery weather happenings. As long is the winds aren't life threatening I'm fine with that wind blown appearance and getting out in the circulating air.